Batman joining Superman in 'Man of Steel' sequel

In perhaps the biggest Hollywood news to come out of this year's San Diego Comic-Con, Warner Bros. officially announced a "Man of Steel" sequel which will feature none other than Batman himself.

'Man of Steel' has grossed $630 million.

According to multiple reports, director Zack Snyder and actor Henry Cavill joined Warner Bros.'s panel near the end to confirm they were returning for the sequel.

Then actor Henry Lennix, who played General Swanick in "Man of Steel," recited the following line: "I want you to remember, Clark, in all the years to come, in all your most private moments, I want you to remember my hand at your throat. I want you to remember the one man who beat you."

Comic fans will recognize the line from Frank Miller's epic graphic novel "Dark Knight Returns," which was recently adapted itself into animated form.

The panel then closed with a logo featuring Superman's shield over the Batman logo.

There is no word as of yet on who will play Batman in the new film, although Christian Bale, who filled the role in Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight" trilogy, has said on multiple occasions he will not be reprising the role.

After the panel, Warner Bros. released the following press release:

On the heels of the worldwide success of “Man of Steel,” director Zack Snyder is bringing together the two greatest Super Heroes of all time—Batman and Superman—for the first time on the big screen. The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution,Warner Bros. Pictures.

A first look at Henry Cavill as Superman in 'Man of Steel'

A first look at Henry Cavill as Superman in "Man of Steel."

Since it was announced Henry Cavill ("Stardust") would be the next Superman in director Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel," people have been wondering what he'd look like in the red and blue costume.

Well, wonder no more because Warner Bros. today released a first look at the actor in action (shown above). The film is set for release on June 14, 2013

In addition to Cavill, the cast includes Amy Adams ("Enchanted") as Lois Lane, Laurance Fishburne ("The Matrix") as Perry White, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Jonathan and Martha Kent and Michael Shannon (HBO's "Boardwalk Empire") as General Zod. Harry Lennix ("Dollhouse") will play play Sgt. Stanwick and Christopher Meloni ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit") will play a general.

"The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan is producing and helped develop the story with David S. Goyer, who wrote the screenplay.

Laurence Fishburne is Perry White in 'Man of Steel'

No Superman film would be complete without tireless newspaper editor-in-chief Perry White, demanding boss to reporters Clark Kent and Lois Lane.

Laurence Fishburne

According to Entertainment Weekly, director Zack Snyder's "Man of Steel" has its Perry White: actor Laurance Fishburne.

Fishburne, who was most recently seen on "CSI," which he left at the end of last summer, will next star in "Contagion," which opens in September. His varied career includes "Predators," "The Matrix" and "Akeelah and the Bee."

As for White, the character was played by Jackie Cooper in the Christopher Reeve films and Frank Langella in 2006's "Superman Returns."

Fishburne joins Henry Cavill ("Stardust") as Superman, Amy Adams ("Enchanted") as Lois Lane, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Jonathan and Martha Kent and Michael Shannon (HBO's "Boardwalk Empire") as General Zod. Harry Lennix ("Dollhouse") will play play Sgt. Stanwick and Christopher Meloni ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit") will play a general.

"The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan is producing and helped develop the story with David S. Goyer, who wrote the screenplay.

It was recently announced that the film was moving from its spot in the holiday season of 2012 to June 14, 2013

'Man of Steel' delayed to Summer 2013

Zach Synder's "Man of Steel" will be its time to take flight, hitting theaters in the summer of 2013 rather than the holiday season of 2012.

Henry Cavill

Warner Bros. made the announcement Wednesday, setting the release as June 14, 2013, although filming will still begin later this summer as planned.

"Man of Steel" will feature Henry Cavill ("Stardust") as Superman, Amy Adams ("Enchanted") as Lois Lane, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Jonathan and Martha Kent and Michael Shannon (HBO's "Boardwalk Empire") as General Zod. Harry Lennix ("Dollhouse") will play play Sgt. Stanwick and Christopher Meloni ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit") will play a general.

"The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan is producing and helped develop the story with David S. Goyer, who wrote the screenplay.

With Warner Bros. working on Peter Jackson's two part "Hobbit" adaptation, the first film of which is set for release on Dec. 14, 2012, this move isn't a surprise. Warner Bros. is known for spacing out its tent pole projects, infamously delaying the release of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" from November 2008 to July 2009 after the massive box office success of "The Dark Knight" the previous summer.

Harry Lennix joins 'Man of Steel'

The cast of Zack Synder's "Man of Steel" continues to grow with Harry Lennix joining the project as a high-ranking military officer.

Harry Lennix

According to Heat Vision, Lennix will play Sgt. Stanwick, the second military character cast after the news that Christopher Meloni ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit") will play a general.

 Lennix appeared as Boyd Langton in FOX's "Dollhouse" as well as in "State of Play," "Ray" and "The Matrix" sequels.

He joins Henry Cavill ("Stardust") as Superman, Amy Adams ("Enchanted") as Lois Lane, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Jonathan and Martha Kent and Michael Shannon (HBO's "Boardwalk Empire") as General Zod.

"The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan is producing and helped develop the story with David S. Goyer, who wrote the screenplay.

Christopher Meloni promoted from detective to general in 'Man of Steel'

Fresh off the announcement he will not return for the 13th season of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," Christopher Meloni is the latest to be tied to Zack Snyder's Superman film, "Man of Steel."

Christopher Meloni

Although the initial reports had Meloni playing an undisclosed role, New York Magazine's Vulture reported Saturday that his character will be a general and the actor will be filming in Chicago, Vancouver and Edwards Air Force Base.

The news broke earlier in the week that actress Julia Ormond was in talks to play Superman's birth mother Lara Lor-Van. Additionally Russell Crowe is reportedly in negotiations to play Superman's father Jor-El.

Meloni also joins Henry Cavill ("Stardust") as Superman, Amy Adams ("Enchanted") as Lois Lane, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Jonathan and Martha Kent and Michael Shannon (HBO's "Boardwalk Empire") as General Zod.

Meloni played Detective Elliot Stabler for all 12 seasons of "Special Victims Unit."

"The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan is producing and helped develop the story with David S. Goyer, who wrote the screenplay.

Julia Ormond is the mother of Superman?

Deadline is reporting Julia Ormond is in talks to join Zack Snyder's "Man of Steal" as Superman's birth mother Lara Lor-Van.

Julia Ormond

If she does sign, she could be working alongside Russell Crowe, who is reportedly in talks to play Superman's father Jor-El.

Ormond would also join Henry Cavill ("Stardust") as Superman, Amy Adams ("Enchanted") as Lois Lane, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Jonathan and Martha Kent and Michael Shannon (HBO's "Boardwalk Empire") as General Zod.

The actress recently had a recurring role on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and appeared in "The Music Never Stopped," which saw a limited release in March.

"The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan is producing and helped develop the story with David S. Goyer, who wrote the screenplay.

Russell Crowe in talks for Jor-El in 'Man of Steel'

Russell Crowe is in talks to play Superman's father Jor-El in the Zack Synder's "Man of Steel."

Variety broke the story, which mirrors the marquee casting of Marlon Brando as Jor-El in 1978's "Superman."

Russell Crowe

If Crowe does take the role, he will join Henry Cavill ("Stardust") as Superman, Amy Adams ("Enchanted") as Lois Lane, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Jonathan and Martha Kent and Michael Shannon (HBO's "Boardwalk Empire") as General Zod.

"The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan is producing and helped develop the story with David S. Goyer, who wrote the screenplay.

Jor-El is a scientist who discovers his planet Kryton's impending doom and sends his son in a rocket to Earth to save him.

Crowe, who is filming "The Man with the Iron Fists," was last seen in "The Next Three Days" and "Robin Hood," both of which hit theaters last year.

Michael Shannon will take on the 'Man of Steel' as General Zod

Warner Bros. has announced Michael Shannon is joining director Zack Synder's upcoming Superman movie, "Man of Steel," portraying the villainous General Zod.

Shannon was nominated for Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 2009 for his work in "Revolutionary Road." He is also Agent Nelson Van Alden in HBO's "Boardwalk Empire."

"Zod is not only one of Superman's most formidable enemies, but one of the most significant because he has insights into Superman that others don't," Synder said in a statement. Michael is a powerful actor who can project both the intelligence and the malice of the character, making him perfect for the role."

Zod appeared in "Superman" in 1978 and "Superman II" in 1980. Terence Stamp played the character in both those films. Like Superman, Zod is from the planet Krypton, and shares his powers.

Shannon joins Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Diane Lane as Martha Kent and Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent.

Christopher Nolan ("The Dark Knight") is among the producers of the new film and helped develop the story with David S. Goyer, who is writing the script.

It is interesting that General Zod will be making an appearance in "Man of Steel," especially since he, along with Lex Luther, have had their share of film portrayals. Bringing Luther back as the primary villain in 2006's "Superman Returns" was one of that movie's biggest weaknesses even with a solid performance from Kevin Spacey.

Although few would argue that Superman has a villains gallery like that of Batman, there are other possibilities who have yet to be explored in the films such as Brainiac and Darkseid.

'Superman' film will not tie into 'Justice League' either

With Warner Bros. executive Jeff Robinov's comments about Batman and 'Justice League' earlier this week, I didn't even mention director Zach Snyder's upcoming 'Superman' film.

And now it apparently doesn't matter, as Synder told HeyYouGuys.co.uk at the UK "Sucker Punch" premier that the two films will not be connected.

"Like what Chris Nolan is doing and what I’m doing with 'Superman,' what they’ll do with 'Justice League' will be it’s own thing with it’s own Batman and own Superman," Synder said. "We’ll be over here with our movie and they’ll kinda get to do it twice which is kinda cool."

This leaves only Green Lantern as potentially having a tie-in movie by the time a "Justice League" film would presumably begin production. Of course, Marvel is betting the farm on the opposite approach of introducing just about everyone before the "Avengers" ties together Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and The Hulk into one film.

It should make "Avengers" a more powerful film, but it also opens the super-franchise to a lot of risk. One bad movie could taint the entire system, as "Iron Man 2" came close to doing last summer.

It'll be at least two years before we see a "Justice League" film, but we're talking about one again. For DC, that has to be a victory in itself.

Amy Adams is Lois Lane in new 'Superman' film

Superman has his Lois Lane. Warner Bros. announced Sunday Amy Adams ("The Fighter," "Julie & Julia") will play the intrepid reporter in the forthcoming "Superman" reboot directed by Zach Synder ("Sucker Punch," "300").

"Second only to Superman himself, the question of who will play Lois Lane is arguably what fans have been most curious about," Synder said in the studio's official statement.

"So we are excited to announce the casting of Amy Adams, one of the most versatile and respected actresses in films today. Amy has the talent to capture all of the qualities we love about Lois: smart, tough, funny, warm, ambitious and, of course, beautiful."

Adams has proved to be a versatile actress, which is what is needed to capture fiery reporter who keeps Clark Kent on his toes at the "Daily Planet." She has earned three Oscar nominations in the past six years for "The Fighter," "Doubt" and "Junebug," and also drew praise for a wide variety of roles in "Julie & Julia," "Enchanted" and "Sunshine Cleaning."

Here she will be stepping into a role most recently portrayed in film form by Kate Bosworth in 2006's "Superman Returns." While that film failed to live up to hopes of fans or studio bosses--hence the reboot--it's failings were not the fault of the cast but more a less-than-original script.

Christopher Nolan ("The Dark Knight") is among the producers of the new film and helped develop the story with David S. Goyer, who is writing the script, so hopefully that won't be a problem this time around.

Adams joins Henry Cavill ("Stardust," "The Tudors"), who will play Superman and his alter-ego Clark, as well as Diane Lane ("Secretariat") and Kevin Costner ("Waterworld") as Clark's human parents Martha and Jonathan Kent. The film is scheduled for a December 2012 release.